PALSTAVE 773804

Description: A complete copper-alloy cast palstave type axe dating to the Acton Park II, Taunton or Penard metalworking phases of the Middle Bronze Age, c. 1550-1150 BC (Needham's metalworking phases VIII and IX). The presence of a shield-shaped depression below the stop ridge suggests that this piece corresponds to the 'Group 1; primary shield pattern' subtype. The axe is in extremely good condition, with a light brownish patina covering most of its surfaces, interspersed with areas covered by a patchy green corrosion product. In plan view, the axe is broadly sub-triangular, while being sub-lenticular/sub-lozengiform in section. The object achieves its thickest point. halfway down the flange facets where they extend high above the septum, before tapering steadily to the cutting edge, which itself is convex in plan view in addition to flaring outwards. Just below the stop ridge and septum on both sides of the palstave, there is a small shield shaped convcave depression, bordered on each side by the flange facets. A prominent ridge runs down each side of the axe, probably indicative of the original casting process. Similar palstave axes are visible in Schmidt, P. and Burgess, C. 1981. The Axes of Scotland and Northern England, pages 117-125, ref. 770-787A. A broadly comparable example on the PAS database can be found in record ESS-FB0374 Max Blade width = 66.8mm Stop ridge length = 25mm stop ridge width = 16mm stop ridge thickness = 13.5mm septum length = 65mm septum width = 21.5mm septum depth = 10.8mm max thickness point = 28.5mm

Date: -1550 - -1150

Object type: PALSTAVE

Last import: September 22, 2022